DC Blizzard of '09

Alright, now I went to school in Utah and have experienced "blizzards" of sorts but never one that shut the whole city down. Yes maybe we are a bit wimpier here in the Capital, but when you get 20.5 inches in a little more than 24 hours it does lend itself to a crisis. So yes we've been snowed in now for 2 days, cancelled church and everything. In the middle of it all and in between baking cinnamon rolls and one of our 4 movies, we decided to have a go in nature's powder.

Yes this is my house. Isn't is just so incredibly charming? I think snow looks good on her, makes our yellow door just pop :).
We seem to like to do things together, it's a condition what can I say?

This honestly was only midway through the storm, I really should have taken a picture this morning as I dug my car out for 3 hours.

There was no driving through this, though people of course tried and then left their cars on the side of the road. Just had to let it run its course. We're hoping we can get out tomorrow. Especially since my poor roommate Kim's had her flight home for Christmas cancelled twice.

What snow day is complete without a Snow Angel? Yes that would be me, hard to recognize when I'm bundled up. Might explain why a neighbor thought I was the Landlord this morning. Ya, the landlord is a man. Not the highlight of the weekend.

But hanging out with my wonderful roommates, reading, sleeping, eating and eating some more would definitely be the highlights. It would have only been better had the blizzard hit on a work day ;)

Morocco

Wednesday night the 25th of November we headed for Casablanca, Morocco. Not without adventure though. At the Barcelona airport we were noticing that everyone around us checking in for our flight had their checked bags wrapped. As in wrapped with Saran Wrap! We were getting nervous as they all looked like locals and so when we got to the agent we asked her what the deal was and she looked around and leaned in and said "There's trouble in Africa". What the?! Trouble in Africa! What does that even mean?! Haha. As you can imagine, we freaked for a second and then just decided to carry our bags on- apparently "trouble" means they go through your bags and take what they want.
Even with flight attendants who didn't close all the overhead bins or a full suitcase under my seat (not even mine, the guy next to me- it was my good deed of the day) and food that looked expired, we managed to get into Casablanca alive and with all our belongings. Royal Air Maroc wasn't very Royal is all I gotta say.
Luckily Julie was in charge of Casablanca and we stayed in a very nice 3 star hotel with all the fixings even waiters who hit on you and give you roses- that would be Julie. She was quite the hit in Morocco, that light skin and dimples, not to mention bright brown eyes- had men stopping and staring- literally all over the country. Could give a girl a complex ;).
The only major site to see in Casablanca is the Mosque that sits on the ocean. It is the 3rd largest in the world. The other two are in Saudi Arabia and we wouldn't be allowed in, so getting a tour -of this was quite a treat-even if our tour guide spent more time on the phone that with us.

I'm sitting on the wall of the mosque with the Atlantic Ocean behind me. Pretty wild to think I'm on the coast of Africa and on the other side of my own ocean.

The Mosque.

I think they were on a field trip of sorts. They were so stinking cute I had to sneak a picture.

Another outside shot of the Mosque- this is only a sampling, I really did go camera crazy here. It was just so beautiful!

This is inside the Mosque. It holds up to 75,000 people. Our tour guide says its only full during Ramadan. It was amazing inside. The roof opens to give more air since there is no air conditioning.

Back outside.

Here is our tour guide, not on the phone. It was rare but at least she explained each part of the mosque, like this is the bottom of the mosque and they call it the Turkish baths though its not ever been used.

Turkish baths.

Julie chose an authentic Moroccan restaraunt for lunch and it was divine. I had kuskus (sp?) and vegetables with chicken and we were the only ones in there, so we got the royal treatment.

After Casablanca, we jumped on a train to Rabat, the capital of Morocco and went straight for the market. It was insane, as you can tell from Kim's face, but it had everything! From leather jackets to purses to scarves to nuts to movies to shoes. You name it, they sold it.

Breakfast in Rabat- though it really could have been any of our stops. Bread for breakfast seemed to be the theme- not that I'm complaining as I am a Carb Addict.

Kim thought the size of our room key was quite ridiculous. It was, so we had to take a shot of it.

Kim and I posing in a park in Rabat.

Kasbah des Oudaias (don't even ask me how to pronouce that), this was a 12th century fortress on the edge of town in Rabat. People still live here though it has miraculously been preserved quite well.

I had to get a picture of this. Our conceirge told us that the next day (we'd be gone by then) was a holiday in Rabat where everyone barbequed and slaugthered a lamb- don't quite remember the reason for the holiday but it was suppose to be a huge party!

This is just one of the doors to a home in the fortress.

Another door. There was quite a bit of bright blue paint and with the contrast of white stone it looked like I imagine Greece looks- though I've never been there- hopefully my next trip over the pond will include it.

Still at the fortress and still sporting our new scarves.

I had a thing for doors this day.

Sitting on the wall of the fortress with the ocean behind me and a cemetary below. It was a really cool view.

Back to the market. What can I say we couldn't get enough! It was really crazy but definitely a must have experience in Morocco.

I couldn't resist. I mean is this an International Phenomenon or what?!The Twilight Series in Arabic in a mostly Muslim country. Insane.

Speaking of insane. I'm guessing Moroccans are a bit delayed (though the previous picture would prove otherwise) or just obsessed, but this is a Happy Meal with Yoda on it! Ya, the theme was Star Wars and last time I checked there hasn't been any new Star Wars movies in quite some time. Who knew?

Though we were only able to spend two days in Morocco I do feel like we got a good taste of the country. It was rather hectic and chaotic and not nearly as clean as European countries but the people were friendly (minus the men staring at Julie), the food was delicious and the shopping was excellent.

After Morocco we headed back to Paris for another day or so and it was perfect. We lounged around with my parents, had a huge Thanksgiving feast with all the Paris missionaries that my parents-of course-volunteered to feed. It was so wonderful to just spend time with my parents, it is funny that the older I get the harder it is to leave home. They really did make this trip. I am so blessed.

Barcelona

On Monday the 23rd we jumped on a flight (I love easyjet.com and their cheap European flights!) and headed to Barcelona, Spain. It was seriously such a cool city! I loved it. I have heard how wonderful it is for some time now and didn't get to see it last summer on our European Adventure, so I was really grateful I could hit it up this go around. This portion of our trip was my responsibility so imagine my dismay when we arrive at our hotel and this is what we find...
I had purposely avoided hostels this trip (I don't mind them but with only 3 people we could get pretty good rates on hotels, so we went that route) yet when we saw the outside and how shady it looked, we were nervous. Well for good reason! The place ended up being a private residence! Hotel Gabriel was just Gabriel's apartment!! There was a hostel in the building but it wasn't what we booked and the owner was shocked when I showed him our reservation information off of Expedia. Gabriel wasn't home but the Hostel owner told us it was just a dude's apartment!

I just about freaked out. Fortunately, for us we found a better place just around the corner and the Lord took care of us. I really did have a near panic attack first though. When we went by Gabriel's place later to take these pictures, we found this note! He left me a note! We never called but I sure as heck let Expedia know what was up. Never. Again.

Here is the hotel we did end up staying in. Our saving grace. Thank the Lord. The owner here even gave us a better rate than Mr. Gabriel was offering and he took care of us straight away.

The best part of our hotel though was the fact that we were right off the busiest street in Barcelona; La Rambla. It was so much fun just to cruise the street each night. So much going on and tons of shopping and food. Like this place...you may recognize it :)

I'm telling you it's a goal. Eating it in every country I go to. Plus we were starving this night and you know this is a guarantee good meal. No questions asked. What can I say? I'm American through and through.

This was a market off of La Rambla. It was full of a variety of fresh fruit, bread, nuts and gelato of course. I was in heaven.

Enjoying our first serving of Gelato. If I could eat this every day for the rest of my life, it still wouldn't be enough.

Apparently New Moon is a hit in Spain too. I love this poster though..Team Jacob all the way.

Woah, another poster. The Volturri. Apparently the Spanish really love the Twilight series.

And just one more to complete the set. They couldn't leave Edward out of all the posters.

Our first stop in Barcelona was the Sagrada Familia. Here I am inside of it. It is still under construction and is not expected to be completed until 2030. It was designed and built by the famous architect Gaudi.

All three of us outside Sagrada Familia.

Window design on the Sagrada Familia.

It's so huge I couldn't even get the full of it in one shot. Sagrada Familia.

On top of the Sagrada Familia. I'm pretty good at getting shots of us, wouldn't you say? :)

Spires of the Sagrada.

The only completed Rose window by Gaudi. We just happen to stumble upon it as we walked all over the roof. It was incredible.

Another angle. Gorgeous.

Another Gaudi creation. La Pedrera. It's an apartment building. I wouldn't mind living here.

All of the chimneys and ventilation are part of the design too. It is so cool just to walk around all of them.

On the roof of La Pedrera.

Aren't these chimneys amazing?

A view of Sagrada Familia from La Pedrera.

Me and Julie.

This is a fountain designed by Gaudi in the city's most popular park. It was a perfect day for a picnic. We completed ours with Coca-Cola and a bag of chips. Delish.

Enjoying the sun.

One more shot of the fountain.

Outside the Barcelona Cathedral.

The Barcelona Cathedral.

Placa del Ria. This is where Columbus was greeted by the King and Queen of Spain on his return from the Americas.

Savoring the local hot chocolate. It was basically melted chocolate. Delicious.

La Rambla.

A monument of Christopher Columbus at the end of La Rambla.

We purchased the Barcelona Card and made the most of it with a free boat ride along the Barcelona coast. Here was our ride.

The Mediterranean.

Coast of Barcelona.

A little windblown but at least we had our new Spanish scarves to keep us warm!

Palau de la Musica Cataluna. This is a music hall built a 100 years ago and it is beautiful inside! So beautiful that we weren't allowed to take pictures, though we did have a hilarious tour guide who kept us very entertained.

We trekked to the Olympic area of Barcelona, which gives you a great view of the city.

Here we are with Barcelona behind us and Morocco calling our names. It was such a great city. I really did adore it; great weather, great sites and delicious food.